Understanding Key Concepts in International Relations
ESSAY: Hedging Verbs: Seem, Appear, Indicate, Suggest, Doubt, Tend, Look Like. Probability Adverbs: Possibly, Probably, Almost Certainly, Perhaps. Connectors: Firstly, Secondly, Then, Next, Afterwards, Finally, Eventually, Previously. Addition: And, Also, In Addition, Besides, Furthermore, As Well As, Moreover, Too / As Well. Emphasis: Above All, Especially, Most Importantly, Indeed, Significantly, Notably, In Particular. Contrast: However, Nevertheless, Alternatively, Despite This, On the Contrary, Whereas, Apart From, Although. Conclusion: To Conclude, In Conclusion, Finally, On the Whole, In Summary, To Sum Up. Comparison: Likewise, Similarly, Like. Examples: For Example, For Instance, Such As, As an Example. Cause & Effect: Because, Since, For, So, Consequently, Therefore, Thus, Hence. Persuasion: Clearly, Evidently, Surely, Indeed, Certainly.
Westphalian System: The principle of non-intervention; state sovereignty was mutually respected. Non-Intervention: A policy that avoids the interference of a state in the internal affairs of another state. Sovereignty: Internal monopoly of violence and external recognition by other states. Balance of Power, Bandwagoning.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization: Article 5 states that the Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all. In exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defense recognized by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, they will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area. Collective Defense: Collective Defense is a limited or group system. It involves only some states who join hands against a common enemy. In Collective Defense, the possible threat is known. Collective Defense admits advance planning because the enemy is known in advance. In Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, it is a duty. Collective Security: Collective Security is a global system. It involves all the states of the world. In Collective Security, threats to security are sudden. Any war or aggression by any one state against any other state is covered under the system of collective security. In Collective Security, it is not possible to plan in advance because no state is the target. In Article 51 of the U.N. Charter, it is a right.
The European Wars: Wars in the 19th and 20th centuries – 90% of the victims were combatants. – New Wars: 10% combatants – 90% civilians. We could say new wars are a form of organized violence against the population. Ius ad Bellum is the legal right to war. Ius in Bello is the way to fight a war legally. Geneva Conventions: 1º Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field, 2º Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea, 3º Treatment of Prisoners of War, 4º Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.
Cold War Tensions: 1. Nuclear Tension 2. Ideological Tension 3. Economic Tension Nowadays. Cold War 2.0? 1. Pakistan, Iran, North Korea as nuclear powers. 2. Islamic Extremism as an expanding ideology. 3. China as an economic hegemon.